USDOT FMCSA

[Timd32]

Any recommendations on a BOC-3 process agent? Or wing it and check Google reviews?

The FMCSA has a list but no clue if they are legit places. I clicked on a few.

Seems like you have to pick someone for sure.

Looks like I'm down to having my insurance agent file the BMC-91 insurance form for basic liability. And then looks like I need the BOC-3 filled out. I have the basic USDOT number just need to finish the other stuff within 90 days.

Also maybe someone else might know if I really need to do the MC Authority deal, its another $300 form and we are "private" hauling our stuff but we have logos on the trucks so they might think we are hauling others product, should I just do the $300 and save the paperwork later on if there were questions.

Thanks

 

[EDankievitch]

It’s been 21 years since I sold my Boat hauling business . If I recall I did all the paperwork myself. It wasn’t all that hard back then. Just had to show proof of insurance and drug testing.

 

[Timd32]

Yeah from what I read you can be your own process agent if you live in the state. I live in NJ and the office is in NY, we have an office in NJ but I filled it out for NY for the home office.

It's fully possible I dont understand the form and can just do it myself.

It seems like for $20-$30 you can get one of these online services to list you for 50 state, but I don't want to get scammed either.

This BOC-3 reads like it has to be an agent or you have to reside in the state. Might just re-read the stuff.

The insurance form reads like it has to come from your insurance company. I can send that to my agent and see what they say.

They now have a list of safety requirements as well that you have to set up. Seems pretty standard stuff.

I've done all the stuff myself so far, there is a decent thread on here from years ago that was pretty well written and a few hours research online.

 

[gsbrockman]

OOIDA filed my BOC-3 as a free service for me as a member. When I got my operating authority in 2016, FMCSA / DOT was issuing separate MC and DOT numbers. I heard through the rumor mill that at some point in time.....the DOT number would be all that was needed.

 

[Timd32]

OOIDA filed my BOC-3 as a free service for me as a member. When I got my operating authority in 2016, FMCSA / DOT was issuing separate MC and DOT numbers. I heard through the rumor mill that at some point in time.....the DOT number would be all that was needed.

Thanks, that looks like the way to do it. Signing up with them tonight.

I'm thinking I'm skipping the MC stuff for now.

They combined the DOT and MC initial application stuff and they share a portal now using your DOT PIN for login.

I think I remember reading if you got your stuff separate they have instructions for how to get the PIN and into the combined portal.

I got a DOT number and an MC number in like and hour. Then you have like 90 days to follow up with all the other stuff. That was $300.

The MC stuff does have a secondary application to get your official Authority for another $300.

From what I have read you need to have some different levels of insurance for MC, which we actually already carry even not having the DOT or MC. DOT you just need the proof of Liability.

They both need the safety program. Drug testing program, health care and I think the log requirement

 

[gsbrockman]

When I applied, the $300 covered my MC and DOT numbers. Apparently something has changed.....

If I’m not mistaken, the levels of liability start out at $750,000 for non-haz mat. With a Class 9 haz mat, the minimum starts out at $1 mil. Automobiles and farm equipment will constitute Class 9 as they have internal combustion engines and have fuel in them.

 

[Timd32]

Or nothing has changed and I just need to finish filing and see what happens. Because they give you each number (MC and DOT)at the time of filing the URS based on how you answer the questions in the beginning of the application.

Maybe its the "additional" authority that is the extra $300, that looks like for brokers and moving companies and a few other things I will never use.

One thing that is super aggressive and they warn you about in huge BOLD RED letters right before you hit submit for your URS application is that companies are going to call you and that are not from the FMCSA, about 1 min from hitting submit my phone was called 3 times and got abunch of texts. That continued for about 3 days, they called my phone the office phone and maybe some of it was legit who knows I never picked up, but they would say your paperwork is incorrect you need to fix this or that, or your DOT number.

But whatever gov't database this thing is entered into the spammers have figured out a direct system the minute that number is assigned they have automatic dialers and text bots sending out stuff regardless of any sort of do not call list.

The FMCSA has a FAQ on their site letting you know they are aware of the calls and are working on something, doubt it.

Overall pretty easy process to get this moving.

 

[Timd32]

Finally got around to finishing up my paperwork and the sort, got our "authority to engage in transportation" status letter on Christmas Eve.

Next step which was supposed to be done a little while ago was to call about the new entrant program, they send a letter saying to confirm some stuff then you go into this program for first 18 months for safety audit review, and the sort. When I called today was person on hold #62 and was an 87min wait, so I left a VM, I downloaded the info and read thru it and made some notes.

Most of the delay was on my end not submitting my insurance request to my carrier,

Overall I thought I had 80 days from time of setting this up back in late Oct, it was actually 20 days and then at day 60 they pull your application. They sent a letter right at 20 days and gave me my 60 day notice. Then I still waited a week.

I think this could all be done in maybe 2 weeks time if I understood the process and the players and logins, portals.

It's all pretty straight forward stuff.

Still amazed at the level of scams tied to this stuff, maybe scams is a harsh term, but the level of spam from the minute after you hit submit of the initial application, the calls come Rolling in, letters, some trying to be official looking from the government, its out of control.

They know it is as they have some huge disclaimers right before you submit.

Glad when this is done for a while.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Scams - yes. The Virginia DMV isn't allowed to sell your info to anyone. Yet I've titled several vehicles and then get letters from folks about warranty, insurance, etc for that car. Yet I NEVER drove the car - only titled it - no registration, insurance, etc.......sigh Government at it's finest.

 

[Timd32]

Little update. As always real drivers should probably bypass this thread super new to all this so I get that for sure.... plus there are so many ways to accomplish all this.

Things are cruising along.

I tried to call one time in Jan to go over my New Entrant Program stuff and got side tracked, was an 80min wait I gave up, they finally sent a pretty stern letter do it by 4-18-20 on line or else.

That New Entrant Program is a requirement for first time DOT/MC folks, within 6mo and then maybe 18mo of getting assigned you have to hit certain goals. They do a safety audit of your records.

I already assembled all my documents a long time ago just never uploaded them.

It was a super easy process they have a dedicated web site for New Entrants. Just upload the docs (about 10 required) as they list them.

The cool thing was I was doing my uploads and I got to the Driver Medical Certificate portion, I read it as you needed that above 26,001 LB deal.

Since it wanted something for that I wrote a quick note 3 sentences why I did not get one, but if needed contact me at such any such and uploaded that note.

3 min later the phone rings and its a NYS DOT person, nice guy says he's looking at my uploads as they were going in the system and figured he would call since I was actively doing it and he explained I need that card regardless of weight class and CDL.

Asked him about the hard date of the 18th on the paper and he said your making progress and he noted that on his side not to worry.

He said to add a Trailer list as a file and to put together a quick and simple Record of Duty for the past 30 days with some toll/ez pass records, super simple as I have a OBDII GPS in the truck that logs all my metrics. Needed a interstate trip which worked out since I had one in March.

Medical Card is set for Monday.

Overall I was really impressed by their phone call on the fly and he said that was his cell number call back if I get in a jam uploading the rest. I saved his number in case.

Anyway all moving well and got most figured out as much as I can.

 

[Timd32]

So got my medical Card, for my big 2500, all joking aside my BP was high when I went in,, that's a first ever I have heard that ever, I'm always like the old school 120/80 deal. They had to note it on the form, after I sat for a.bit it came down.

It's all on the up and up they write in the actual value on the machine on my paperwork, no pencil.whipping which was nice to see, but bad to see of course when you think this is a waste of time for a non-CDL. Otherwise would have never been checked.

It did not require the 3mo review, my card is good for the full 2 yr, but will be getting it checked to see whats up.

I went out and got a nice BP machine at Target, and will figure out if it was a fluke or something to look at, it actually was very similar to their readings, it has gone down since the AM. App on the phone will track it for next few days and see where we go.